Udinese v Juventus – Preview: Old Lady hot favourite in battle of the Bianconeri

Date: 30th January 2015 at 9:09am
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Mid-table Udinese take on league leaders Juventus in an intriguing Serie A fixture on Sunday at the Stadio Fruili.

The hosts will hope to fare much better than in the duo’s last two meetings in Udine, when Juventus have swept Udinese aside 2-0 last season and 4-1 during the previous campaign.

Ominously, the Zebrette have only managed three victories from their last 19 Serie A home matches with the reigning champions.

Udinese claimed a first win in six when defeating Empoli 2-1 away in league action last time out, while the visiting table-toppers have lost just once all season and triumphed handsomely on their last three outings.

Indeed, Juve plundered nine goals while conceding just once throughout their three most recent contests with Napoli, Hellas Verona and Chievo.

Greek star Panagiotis Kone is missing for the home team due to a three-match suspension, after his club decided not to appeal the decision following his dismissal and subsequent improper conduct charge relating to the laying of hands on the referee at Empoli.

Coach Andrea Stramaccioni is also unable to call upon Emmanuel Badu and Molla Wague after both went away on international duty to the African Cup of Nations, while youngsters Lucas Evangelista and Alexis Zapata won’t be available.

Additionally, trio Giampiero Pinzi, Alexandre Geijo and Maurizio Domizzi will have their fitness evaluated in the run-up to the game.

Juventus travel without Claudio Marchisio, who is serving a one-game ban, plus key man Arturo Vidal, Kwadwo Asamoah and Romulo through injury.

Experienced left-back Patrice Evra is a slight doubt, but should be fit to take his place in the side.

Spanish striker Alvaro Morata will be pushing hard for a starting spot having scored the late winner over Parma in a midweek Coppa Italia quarter-final clash.

Man-of-the-moment Paul Pogba is also expected to feature, despite the media frenzy surrounding his immediate future with the club.

Form Guide: Udinese (L-D-L-D-D-W) Juventus (D-W-D-W-W-W)

Expected Starting XIs

Udinese: Karnezis; Heurtaux, Danilo, Piris; Widmer, Allan, Guilherme, Bruno Fernandes, Pasquale; Thereau; Di Natale

Juventus: Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Pereyra, Pirlo, Pogba; Pepe, Morata, Tevez

 

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